After the Shah's death in early July, the Iranian captors were open for negotiations in order to release to captives. In the United States, the presidential race was drawing closer to the end and Ronald Reagan was inching his way to the finish line in front of the current president Jimmy Carter. According to a source close to Carter and his administration, Carter was given new parameters and if he was not in the race for presidency, he might have been able to work out a compromise with the captors for the release of the hostages. During Reagan's campaign, William Casey, the director of the campaign, was accused of holding a meeting with Iran officials, which were involved in the taking of the American Embassy, to arrange the release of the hostages; but not to release them until after the presidential election. No one knows for sure whether or not the allegations are true; but if they are in fact true, Casey (and possible Reagan himself) could face charges of treason against the United States. The election took place soon after the "meeting" and Reagan became President. Some say mainly because Carter failed in bringing home the hostages during his term. Reagan was only sworn into the Presidential office a short time before the hostages were released and sent home to America.